Classic Poem

Night above and night below —
Into the night you saw me go
With the midnight of my woe.

Had I never sought your side,
You had never wrung my pride;
Then my faith had never died.

I was mad to think you dear —
Madder far to kiss the spear —
Maddest, that I lingered here.

Welcome back, good pilgrim staff!
Truth is wind, and Love is chaff —
Both are winnowed by a laugh.

Hola ho! I will depart,
Though seditious tear-drops start —
Though each footfall stabs my heart!

Sink or swim I'll tempt the stream,
In your eye's repellent beam
Tombing what I dared to dream.

Day above and day below —
Into the day you'll see me go,
With the daybreak-stars — heigho.